Timmins Chamber of Commerce has plan to tackle youth unemployment in region

TIMMINS, ON, September 24, 2014: The Timmins Chamber of Commerce is partnering with Northern College, Ryerson University and the Ontario Chamber of Commerce to help turn the tide on youth unemployment and address the skills gap.

The Timmins Chamber is announcing Magnet, a leading-edge networking platform that will help employers in Timmins connect with recent graduates and qualified candidates.

The Magnet network has one goal: to ensure that individuals within its network are matched to promising job opportunities and that organizations connect to qualified candidates.

With Magnet, businesses can create profiles and search qualified talent within Timmins and beyond. This effective, accurate, and efficient way works to match these candidates’ qualifications and interests with employers’ skills requirements.

“We’re really pleased with this new way of connecting youth with employers,” said Timmins Chamber President Al Thorne. “One of the biggest obstacles our members have been facing is finding skilled employees to fill vacancies and plan for the future, and the Magnet network is an important new tool to help to address this issue.”

Magnet is built upon revolutionary networking technology developed through Ryerson University’s Digital Media Zone.

“Turning the tide on unemployment and addressing the skills gap in our labour markets takes a collaborative effort,” said Sheldon Levy, President and Vice Chancellor of Ryerson University. “That’s why it’s encouraging to see the Timmins Chamber Commerce play a leadership role in bringing this innovative network to this community.”

The Magnet network currently includes 18 universities and colleges across Ontario, representing over 500,000 students and graduates, the network of chambers of commerce and boards of trade throughout Ontario, representing 60,000 employers and two million jobs, and over 30 labour- and opportunity-based organizations.

“Ontario’s employers are telling us that they’re finding it difficult to connect with workers that have the skills they need," said Allan O’Dette, President and CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce. "Magnet is not only going to address this barrier by connecting businesses with the right candidates, but also by creating youth employment opportunities across the province—it’s a win-win scenario.”

“Not only does this help to address one of the largest issues faced by employers province-wide, it will help attract and retain skilled youth in the North,” added Thorne.

About the Timmins Chamber of Commerce With 750 members, the Timmins Chamber of Commerce is one of the largest accredited chambers of commerce with distinction in northeastern Ontario. As the “Voice of Business in Timmins” since 1949, our advocacy and policy initiatives focus on ensuring a positive business climate in the City of Timmins.